Digital Twin reduces time and carbon

BREng’s phased heating decarbonisation solution delivers energy savings for Kepier School

Our phased solution enabling Kepier School to transition to low-carbon CIAT heating technologies has delivered significant energy savings in the first year. We worked with project partners AA Projects, Quora Group, and Cool Designs Ltd in 2022 to create a phased decarbonisation plan for Kepier School in Northeast England, supported by the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF).

After the system had successfully operated for several months, BREng returned to site to measure the performance and optimise the system.
Our initial heating audit identified the need for installation of new high efficiency heat emitters to replace the school’s conventional radiators. We specified seven surface-mounted high-level CIAT Major Line and 31 CIAT COADIS fan coil units (FCUs).

The school’s seven gas boilers, installed in 2019, were integrated into the new system, enabling them to be replaced as required in future to further improve system efficiency and cost savings. The recent review revealed that substantial energy savings are already being delivered. Gas usage was compared before and after the pandemic to avoid skewed data due to COVID-19 school closures.

Findings revealed an 8.6% reduction of 2,824m3 (~31,446.41 kWhr) from March 2022 to March 2023, compared with the period from March 2019 to March 2020. This resulted in an 8% annual energy cost saving and a similar reduction in carbon emissions.

Real-world operation  Our recent work on optimisation will improve this further. Rob Smelt, managing director of BREng, said: “The process doesn’t stop once a solution has been commissioned. Experience shows that there are often significant additional gains to be made by optimising the system in light of its real-world operation.”

The inspection revealed that some areas were unbalanced, while others operated at sub-optimal temperatures. These issues were addressed to improve occupant comfort and reduce energy use and running costs. 

Brian Dixon, Kepier School Estates Manager, said: “The comfort level has improved significantly. We had already gained control over specific rooms and areas, as opposed to the old ‘on or off’ heating system, and the latest work has improved things even more. Future phases in our decarbonisation plan will yield even greater energy and cost savings for the school.”

With the clock ticking to decarbonise schools and colleges, low-carbon building services consultant BREng has identified key lessons from recent pioneering school projects, to help education estate managers plan their path to net zero.

Rob Smelt, director of BREng, will present the findings in a webinar, entitled 'Meeting Heat Demand in Schools', part of a series on Decarbonising Education Buildings organised by elemental, taking place on 10 October, 2023.

"Space heating in schools accounts for around 60% of their energy use. Reducing the temperature by just 1ºC can save 10% on heating bills," says Rob Smelt. “With energy costs rising and pressure on schools to decarbonise, there are some quick and easy measures education estate managers can take to reduce energy use in the short term, without impacting the comfort of pupils and staff."

Heat pumps not enough on their own
However, he added: "Longer term, meeting net zero targets will require a complete transformation in the way schools and colleges are heated. This will involve use of a mix of technologies – combining heat pumps, high efficiency heat transmitters, low-energy lighting and solar power – to deliver the carbon reductions required."

Getting the technology solution right to achieve this will require site-by-site audits, to take account of local factors, such as building orientation, fabric, insulation levels, existing technology and occupant usage.

"Unfortunately, from our experience in the education sector, there is no 'magic bullet' to deliver net zero. It almost always requires a hybrid approach that pools the carbon savings from several technologies."

The key findings to be presented draw on BREng’s experience with ground-breaking decarbonisation projects in schools and Academies, funded by the UK government's Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) and Condition Improvement Fund (CIF).

"Achieving net zero can be a challenge for schools and other end users, particularly for those who have recently installed new gas-fired boilers. With many schools, the solution is to help them plan for a phased transition, with upgraded heating infrastructure put in place now, ready for the future switch from gas to heat pumps," he said.

Other topics being covered include:
• The effects of temperature – and related metrics – on pupil learning and behavior
• How to make use of a heating audit
• The heating technologies best suited to education buildings
• How heating controls that can impact demand and improve efficiency
• How to minimise heat loss and reduce overall heating demand

For more details, and to register for the webinar: https://www.elementaldigital.co.uk/events/meeting-the-heat-demand-in-schools/
Rob Smelt can be contacted on: Email: rob@brenghull.co.uk Tel: 07864 837071